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Northern State University

Aberdeen, SD·Public·https://northern.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D2Graduate Programs

Northern State University is a small public university in Aberdeen, SD. Approximately 1,273 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 60/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Northern State University is a small public university in Aberdeen, SD. Approximately 1,273 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 60/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

93%
Acceptance Rate
1,086 applications
21
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 18–24
$7,616
In-State Tuition
+$1,229 fees
$10,718
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,229 fees
$10,574
Room & Board
1,273
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
35%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D2
Athletics
Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Selectivity93% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

490530590

SAT Math

490530570

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D2

Northern Sun Intercollegiate

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Ski Access

135 miles

Huff Hills Ski Area

Weather

Cold Climate

35°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

135 mi away
141 mi away
35 skiable acres6 lifts
157 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Aberdeen, SD

13°Jan18°Feb31°Mar45°Apr57°May68°Jun72°Jul70°Aug61°Sep46°Oct31°Nov18°Dec

Station: ABERDEEN REGIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

60/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety558241
55/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
82/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
41/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$7,616$10,718
Fees
$1,229$1,229
Room & Board
$10,574$10,574
Total
$19,419$22,521
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $20

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

70 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Curriculum and InstructionMaster's
46 grads/yr$49,669
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
35 grads/yr$44,147
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
30 grads/yr$53,484
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's
28 grads/yr
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
26 grads/yr$56,571

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Biology, General
Bachelor's18 grads$70,545
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's20 grads$67,072
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's26 grads$56,571
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's30 grads$53,484
Sociology
Bachelor's13 grads$50,765
Curriculum and Instruction
Master's46 grads$49,669
Finance and Financial Management Services
Bachelor's7 grads$48,324
Psychology, General
Bachelor's14 grads$45,921
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's35 grads$44,147
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Bachelor's28 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Northern State University located?

Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD. The main campus address is 1200 S Jay St, Aberdeen, SD. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Northern State University?

Northern State University has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it accessible. Out of 1,086 applicants, 1,010 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,273 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Northern State University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Northern State University scored between 18 and 24 on the ACT, with a median of 21. About 74% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Northern State University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Northern State University charges $7,616/year for in-state students and $10,718/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($10,574/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $11,947/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Northern State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Northern State University?

The undergraduate application fee at Northern State University is $20. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Northern State University have college sports?

Yes — Northern State University competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is Northern State University the right fit for me?

Whether Northern State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (93% admit rate), cost ($10,718/year out-of-state), campus culture in Aberdeen, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Northern State University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Northern State University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Aberdeen, SD
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
Northern Sun Intercollegiate
School Year Weather
Cold · 35°F avg
App Fee
$20
On Campus Safety Score
60/100
Nearest Airport
Aberdeen, SD (ABR) · 3 mialso ATY (75 mi), HON (75 mi)

Location

Aberdeen, SD

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.